NBA Draft: How Jacob Evans, Warriors’ championship culture can elevate each other

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Golden State Warriors General Manager Bob Myers, left, poses for a photograph with new player Jacob Evans III, right, during a press conference on Monday, June 25, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. Evans was drafted with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

Jacob Evans III stood outside of the hotel lobby and instantly witnessed what has become one of the Warriors’ yearly traditions. In three of the past four years, the Warriors have hosted championship parades. So when Evans saw part of the parade outside a downtown hotel last week, he naturally thought about his upcoming pre-draft workout with Golden State. “How can I not want to be there?” Evans thought to himself.

“I stepped out and saw how much joy and excitement it brought to this city,” Evans said. “Those things you cherish forever for the rest of your life and tell your kids and grandkids about.”

The 21-year-old Evans will likely tell his future children and grandchildren about another moment, too. He called it a “blessing” the Warriors selected him No. 28 overall in the 2018 NBA draft after starring for three seasons at the University of Cincinnati. Warriors general manager Bob Myers contended the team’s front office had Evans “ranked higher than the 28th pick” because of his positional versatility, defensive intensity, improved outside shooting and strong decision making. And when the Warriors introduced Evans on Monday at the team’s practice facility, Evans pondered aloud on how that parade celebration might serve as a sneak preview for his NBA career.

“Before the draft, I was saying I want to win a championship before I retire. When I got drafted and it was the Golden State Warriors, I thought, ‘Man, that’s a pretty cool place to go to if you’re trying to win,” said Evans, who will sport No. 10 after former forward David Lee (2010-2015) once wore it. “I couldn’t believe it. Just being able to come to the organization, one of the greatest organizations ever and probably one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history, I know I’ll be able to be a part of something that’s legendary.”

Granted, the Warriors’ hopes to become only the sixth team in NBA history to win a third consecutive NBA title largely hinges on a healthy and effective Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Jacobs serves as an important factor too, though, with wing depth, defensive hustle and possibly a few shots to relieve pressure off the top-heavy roster. All of which explain why the Warriors believe both parties will benefit from each other.

“Being placed in a situation that allows you to grow is positive, as opposed to being somewhere that’s detrimental,” Myers said. “It can derail a career. We’ve seen it many times. Obviously it’s up to Jacob to see what kind of career he wants to have. But our job as an organization, players and coaches and front office is to put him in a position to succeed.”

The Warriors have done that in numerous ways since selecting him last Thursday.

Green, who sat in the draft room with the front office, spoke with Evans on the phone and instructed Evans to “expect to come in and work hard.” Durant texted Evans to congratulate him, prompting Evans to text back that “I’m getting ready to work.” Warriors third-year center Damian Jones, who grew up in Evans’ hometown in Baton Rouge, La., texted Evans before and after the draft to “make sure I don’t take the day for granted.”

In other words, Evans has plenty of star-studded reinforcements to look after him.

“When you’re surrounded by people that are high achieving and hard working, you can’t help but get caught up in that momentum. Jacob will see Kevin Durant working out at that basket and Steph Curry over there and Klay Thompson over there,” Myers said as he looked at the team’s practice court. “He’s not going to walk back and take a shower when guys that are a lot better than him are still working.”

Evans appears to be a player that likes to work.

He added lean muscle and shredded his body fat percentage in the past two years with increased weight training, while also avoiding sugary drinks and fried food and eating more fruits and vegetables. He characterized himself as a devoted basketball student that grew up studying film of former Lakers star Kobe Bryant as well as his future teammates (Durant, Curry, Thompson). He credited his family and coaches for stressing the value of a high work ethic and strong fundamentals.

“I felt like if you’re smartest person on the court, then you’re the most dangerous person,” Evans said. “Then it to got to the point where everyone is athletic. So you have to use your brain over using your physical abilities.”

Evans plans to rely on those skills to carve a niche. He plans to lean on his star teammates to strengthen those skills.

After impressing the Warriors with his defensive versatility and intensity, Evans smiled when sharing that Green told him “he’s going to be on my butt from day one.”

“His love for the game is crazy. It’s amazing,” Evans said of Green. “He’s the one that does a lot of little things to help his team win. I pride myself on doing every little small thing to help whatever team I played for in the past to win. It’s just me keeping that role and keeping that mindset.”

After showing varying progress with his 3-point shooting as a freshman (33.3), sophomore (41.8) and junior (37.0), Evans pledged to keep the same mindset with his offense. He does not plan to take shots at his star teammates’ expense. The Warriors do not want him to overly defer, though. As Myers said, “the first time he turns down a shot, they’re going to tell them to shoot the ball.”

Therefore, Myers said he plans to observe and ask Curry, Thompson and Durant for various shooting tips.

“They’re great shooters. I’m pretty sure I can learn a thing or two from them to help me shoot the ball better or as well as them,” Evans said. “Just knowing the knowledge they have, I’ll try to pick their brains every day, whether it’s on the court or off the court, and see how they carry themselves with multiple NBA championships. I’ll just try to help myself develop.”

How well will Evans develop? The Warriors will soon receive some clarity when he begins summer-league play in Sacramento (July 2-5) and Las Vegas (July 6-17) with Jones and second-year forward Jordan Bell.

“I want to show everyone what I can do,” Evans said. “It’s basketball. You can’t be nervous. I’ve been doing this since I was a little kid. You have to go out there and give it your all.”

And if he does, perhaps Evans will witness another Warriors championship parade. This time, Evans would be on the team’s bus instead of watching from afar outside of a hotel lobby.

“If we can draft a guy that helps us do that, we succeeded,” Myers said. “I think we found one in Jacob.”